It was a rough start for the Heat last. The Monsters outshot them 17-3 and took a 2-1 lead heading into the second period (although thigns could ahve been much worse). Abbotsford reeled things in in the second by outshooting the Monsters 11-6 and scoring the only goal to tie the game. The Heat carried that momentum into the third with Brodie, Horak and Olson scoring three goals on nine shots to ice the victory.

Abby had a rough start to the Chicago game I viewed last Saturday as well, generally running around their own end and looking overmatched. Like last night, they managed to turn things around in the second and grab the "W". That said, it's a habit the club should look to erase as soon as possible - getting grossly outshot and outplayed for a third of every game isn't a good long-term strategy for success.

On the good side of things, Roman Horak scored twice more and now has six goals in just five games (to go with zero assists). TJ Brodie also scored a bueaty for his first of the season and now has a point-per-game average in the early going.

Abbotsford is one of only three teams in the AHL who have yet to be beaten in regulation, and the only Western Conference team without a number in the "L" column. A win tonight would put them on top of the AHL's standings.

Line-up

Brett Olson got in the rotation last night and had quite the night, scoring one goal and two assists. He'll no doubt be back in action again this evening as a result. Brady Lamb was also activated, but had a much harder time of things, ending the night -2 and from what I've heard struggled all over the place. He will likely find himself back in the pressbox, meaning Joe Piskula will be back in.

Baertschi - Walter - Sylvester

Street - Olson - Ruesegger

Horak - Reinhart - Kolanos

Eddy - Laing - Bancks

Brodie - Piskula

Breen - McCarthy

McKelvie - Callahan

Irving

Akim Aliu was sacrificed to the "AHL veteran" rule yesterday, so there's a chance he gets back in on one of the lower lines. Leland Irving dressed as the back-up yesterday, so there's a good chance he'll get his first start of the season tonight.

The Opponent

I assume not much with change for Lake Erie today, aside from Pickard getting the start instead of Aittokallio, who obviously struggled giving up 5 goals on 23 shots.

Van Der Gulik - Agozzino - Walker

Malone - Olver - Thomas

Lerg - Carey - Heard

Bordeleau - Sgarbossa - Thomas

Pock - Barrie

Elliot - Stollery

Gaunce - Goers

Pickard

Our old friend VDG assisted on two of the Monsters goals last night, so I moved him up the rotation in the line-up.

Sum It Up

The Monsters pushed hard last night, but were thwarted by strong goaltending out of Danny Taylor and some less than impressive puck stopping at their end of the ice. The Heat escaped a dismal first period and still haven't been scored on during the PK, but will have to be better out of the gate if they expect to grab another victory this afternoon.